MovieChat Forums > Sherlock Jr. (1924) Discussion > Top 250 issue explained

Top 250 issue explained

posted 16 years ago by mjf314
4 replies | jump to latest

As many of you already know, Sherlock Jr. has gone in and out of the top 250 many times. This is because people keep removing and adding the "short" tag, and shorts are automatically excluded from the top 250. Recently, someone also changed the running time from 44 minutes to 45 minutes. I'm getting tired of seeing this petty fight, so let's get to the bottom of this issue already.

According to IMDb's rules, a short has a running time of less than 45 minutes. Running times are rounded to the nearest minute, so 44:29 or less gets rounded down (short), and 44:30 or more gets rounded up (not a short). The timing begins from the first distributor logo and ends at the last frame of the end credits. I've tried to look up the running time myself, but some sources say 44 minutes and some say 45 minutes, so can someone please check the DVD for the exact running time? Also, is there just one running time for Sherlock Jr., or different running times for different versions?

[–] Mr_McLaurel 16 years ago

The problem with such hairline distinctions is that different DVD versions of this movie can running times that vary by a matter of minutes. I don't know what the solution to this problem is, although I'd like to see more Keaton in the Top 250 in general.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] mjf314 16 years ago

Ok, I did a little bit more research.

Sherlock Jr. was shot on 35mm film, and projected at 24 fps (although it was filmed at a slower speed). There are 16 frames per foot of 35mm film, so 90 feet per minute (at 24 fps). The film length is 4065 feet, which converts to 45:10.

[–] vanityfair_713 16 years ago

Wow! Good job. :)

Personally, I think I have too much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me.

[–] Chrissie 15 years ago

But the Wallace and Grommit Shorts make it into the Top 250. That's how I found out about them.